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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

It's hard to think that the month of March is at it's end today. Where did the time go and what in the world have I been doing?

As I mentioned in my last blog post, I have been in some creative doldrums, though there have still been moments of creativity, which I occasionally shared using my Instagram account. I am still working to cultivate a Habit Of Creativity and here is a book project I finally completed the other day - my Accomplishment Journal:

My Accomplishment Journal is now COMPLETE!

I sewed the signatures with 3 different colors of thick embroidery thread to make for a colorful spine

The book tie is made from a scrap of upholstery thread that unraveled!

I also began to play with the pages of a special book-lace, given to me a few years ago by a fellow Artful Journey buddy. It has been patiently waiting for me to begin filling the pages with art and I thought I would play with tiny mandalas so I could eventually use this treasured gift as a special talisman, to be worn in times of great need...

This 'booklace' was a gift from a dear Artful Journey friend - it is made of silver with parchment and watercolor pages

The beginning of a Latin proverb: 'Ars longa, vita brevis' (Art is long, Life is short)

One of two mandalas I've made for my little booklace - 'Art is magic!'

The second mandala in my booklace so far, but there will be more!

My Scorpio stamp on the last page of the booklace...

I have to say that the month of March was not without some 'madness', as I revisited some old resentments about people in my life (which you can read about in this blog post that was actually a LOT of fun to write!) and begin to work out how I want to earn my living as an Artist. Delving into these things is hard emotional work, and examining what is working in ones life and what is not working is never easy. As a result, this emotional work brought on a sinus attack which lasted for over 3 weeks in the month of March.

I guess you could say that March came in like a Lion and goes out like a Lamb!

Thoughts on the Title of ARTIST

Though I have been a creative being since my childhood, it has taken me many years to truly claim the title of ARTIST for myself, despite my many years of experience and study, and this is one of the things that I've been looking at and examining for myself.

I know how hard it is to claim this title and I witness many fabulous artists struggle with this title of ARTIST. I think each struggle is unique to each person, but I want to share the basis of my struggle with the title of being an ARTIST:

It has long been my personal observation that ARTISTS are not highly respected in the American culture. ARTISTS are often seen as irresponsible, immature, incapable of handling finances, 'overly' sensitive and prone to substance abuse.

With a profile like that, who in their right mind would want to claim such a title??!?

But it has also long been my personal observation that many behaviors and habits are LEARNED BEHAVIORS AND HABITS.

This means that, for fledgling artists, it is possible to LEARN HABITS AND TECHNIQUES that one can practice to become a highly proficient ARTIST.

One can also LEARN THE HABITS AND TECHNIQUES to become a financial wizard or to be disciplined enough to keep away from substance abusing behaviors.

However, all this learning, or unlearning as the case may be, takes much practice and hard work. But I can tell you that, while there may be some daunting times in the process, working and striving to become a highly proficient ARTIST that one can take pride in being and claiming for oneself, is well worth it...

...and I really do need to keep my own words firmly in mind as I continue to learn and practice the Habit Of Completion, which is a habit I want to have so I can eventually accomplish all the creative ideas that I always seem to have, but have so little time to work on!